IF it wasn’t for Jamie Mahon cutting off his long hair, he and wife Lisa may not be celebrating their 20th anniversary this week.

The couple first met as 16-years-old working part-time at Queanbeyan’s Snix Snax Café. However, Jamie’s long locks proved to be a hairy issue and there was only one solution; to chop it off.  

“We were friends for a few years before we started dating,” Lisa said.

“Jamie had long hair and I always used to joke that I would never ever date a guy with long hair. One day he showed up with a crew cut and asked me out.

“How could I say no after he shaved off his hair?”

Jamie and Lisa, aged 22-years-old at the time, were married on November 19, 1994. The ceremony was held at St Gregory’s Church, Queanbeyan and the reception at the Ainslie Football Club.

Lisa, originally from Canberra, was eventually persuaded by Jamie to move over the border and despite initial reservations she said she really enjoys living in Queanbeyan. The couple have one child Alana, 16.

Traditionally, the 20th wedding anniversary is marked with a gift of Chinese ceramic or porcelain. However, the Mahons - being big animal lovers decided to mark the occasion by adopting another rescue dog.